West Ham United are one of several Premier League clubs scouting starlet Joao Felix but Jose Mourinho may have just killed their chances.
According to a report in The Mirror Manuel Pellegrini had scouts watch Benfica striker Felix and a number of other players in a recent Europa League match.
The 19-year-old Portuguese star has 12 goals from 32 appearances in his debut season for Benfica.
He was rewarded with a call-up to the senior national side for the recent Euro 2020 qualifiers.
West Ham one of many to have scouted Felix and teammates
He came on as a second half substitute in the game West Ham and 10 other Premier League clubs attended.
And he more than played his part in helping turn the game in Benfica’s favour.
But any hopes West Ham may have had of landing Felix won’t have been helped by new comments from former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho.
Talking about Felix and fellow Portuguese sensation Bruno Fernandes, Mourinho told Record the world was their oyster.
Mourinho touts youngster for Europe’s elite
““They are not Cristiano (Ronaldo), but I think it’s ridiculous to compare anyone to him,” Mourinho told Record.
“But both players are fantastic, great talents, and they can play for any team in the world.”
If it was not enough that Mourinho has touted Felix to Europe’s elite, the player himself has admitted he has lofty ambitions and wants to play in Spain (Marca).
Non-starter but West Ham recruitment policy seems much-improved
“My dream has always been to play for the biggest clubs in Europe,” Felix said last month, in an interview with Marca.
“Spain or England? I would prefer to play in Spain.”
It is encouraging at least that West Ham are taking a different approach to their recruitment.
The club are now looking to snare talented young players before they are established stars.
That is infinitely better than offering over the hill players one last pay day.
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